The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-02-19

be opened for tho establishment Of facts largely
within tho knowledge Of the claimants alone.
and there can be no doubt that tho race after
stimulate ss ii Weakness and pretended incapacily
for labor. but put . further premium on dis
honesty and nondacity.
Tho effect OF invitations 10 apply for PEN
sions. or OF new advantages added 70 causes for
pensions already existing, is sometimes
startling. Thus In March. Is7S large arrearages
claims filed prior to July I, 1880. For the year
from July 1872 70 July !. 1880. there were Med
iio655 claims, though IN the year immediately
previous there were but 10. 81 hled, ana IN tho
year following but ~. ASS.
while cost should not DO set against pa
triotic duty or the recognition OF n right still.
when measure proposed In based upon gener-
osity or motives of charity. II IA not amiss e.
mediate somewhat upon the example which II
involves. Experience has demonstrated, be-
iieve, that all estimates concerning tho prob
ablo future cost OF n pension list are uncertain
and unreliable. aud always fall far below actual
realization.
sThe Chairman OF tho House Committee on
Pensions calculates that the number OF pension
under this bill would be 3j,iu5, and the In
crensed annual cost 81, 7.il0 This 10 upon tho
10 work would be its bonehcinries. such was
the principle OF tho revolutionary pension law
OF 1918, much moro clearly stated, IL seems 90
me- than in this BILL When the law OF 1915 was
upon its passage i'm Congress, tho number OF
pensioners 10 be benefited thereby was Thought
TO be S74. bat the number OF applicants under
tho act was %, 23T. and the number OF pensions
actually ailowed-20 u.s. costing, ID Is report
ed. for the first year, si.si7,9oo instead OF sio-
600. the estimated expense for that period.
"A law was passed in 1853 for the benefit OF
tho surviving widows OF revolutionary soldiers
who were married after Jan. |, 1907 II was cs.
timatod that they numbered 200 at the time OF
the passage OF the act. but the number Of PEN
sons allowed was 3,f72. and the amount paid
for such pensions during tho first year OF the
operation OF the net was Sis00oO. instead OF
a. 900. AS had been estimated. have mado
no search for other Illustrations. and tho above.
being at hand. are given as intending 70 show
that estimates cannot be relied upon In such
cases.
III none should be pensoncd under this bill
except those utterly unable 10 work. am sat
ished that tho cost stated in the estimate re-
ferrod % would be many times multiplied and
with constant increase from year 70 year; and
II those partially unable 10 earn their support
should bo admitted 10 the privileges OF this bil
tho palpablo increase OF expense would be III
most appalling.
war of the rebellion every Northern State and
great majority of Northern counties aud cities
were burdonod with taxation on account OF the
large bountics paid our soldiers and tho bond
ed debt thereby created still constitutes q largo
item In the account OF the tax-gathcror against
the people. Federal taxation, no less borne by
the people than that directly levied
upon their property Ia, still maintained ut tho
rate made necessary by the exigencies OF war.
II this bin should become law, with its tre,
mendous addition 10 our previous obligations,
am thoroughly convinced that further efforts TO
reduce the Federal revenue and restore some
be seriously questioned.
1T has constantly boenA causo OF pride and
congratulation 10 the American citizon that his
country is not put 10 the charge OF maintaining
n largo standing army In timo Of peace. Yet
we now living under war tax which has
been tolerated in peaceful times to meet tho
obligations incurred in war. But fer years past.
in all parts Of the country, the demand for tho
reduction of the burdens Of taxation upon our
labor and production has Increased in volume
Il am not willing 10 approve measure pro-
senting the objections 10 which this bill 10 sub
joct and which, moreover, will have tho effect
Of disappointing the expectation of tho people
and their desire and hope for relief from war
taxation in time OF peace. In my last annual
Every patriotic heart responds u tendor
Consideration for those who, having served their
country long and well. are reduced TO dostitn-
ton aud dependence, not as an incident OF their
rice but with advancing ago or through sick
ness or misfortune. We are all tempted by tho
contemplation OF such condition 10 supply re-
lief, and are often impatient Of the limitations
Of public duty. Yielding 70 no one in the desire
20 indulge this feeling Of consideration, Icnnnot
rid myself OF the conviction that II these OK
soldiers are to be relieved they and their cause
are entitled 20 the benefit OF an enactment UNI
der which relief may bc claimed as right.
and that such relief should be granted under
the sanction OF law, not in evasion OF IL nor
should such worthy objects or care, all equally
entitled be RENTED 20 the unequal operation
OF sympathy or Of tho tender mercies q socini
and political influence, with their unjust dts
ordinations
II do not think that the objects. the condi-
tons and the limitations thus suggested
contained I'm the bill under consideration.
/ adhere TO the sentiments thus heretofore
expressed But the OWL threatened by this
bin ~ In my opinion such that. charged
with q great responsibility in behalf OF
the people, can not do otherwise than 10
bring 60 the consideration OF this measure my
best efforts OF thought aud Judgment, anil per-
form my constitutional duty I'm relation thereto
regardless OF all consequences, except such ns
appear TO me 60 bo rotated to tho best and high
eat interests OF the country.
~GHovER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. IL. 1884,